ADDIE's Limitations

Using ADDIE as the go-to default design model can be a detriment when designers face complex problems and unique scenarios.

Some concerns raised among designers about the ADDIE model:

• There is no one specific ADDIE model. There are dozens of versions, some linear, some without evaluation throughout.
• When following the model as a linear process, without revision or iteration, designers risk creating an inferior solution.
• The model lacks specific steps describing how to carry out each phase. If each phase is followed blindly, without the guidance of proven ideas and methods from other models, designers risk creating ineffective training.
• There is no step in the Analysis phase to confirm that. The model assumes a training is needed.
• The model does not emphasize the importance of choosing a teaching strategy that matches the context, the problem, and the learners.
• Completing each phase to its final end can take a lot of time and resources, and may not allow for rapid development.
• It is the overwhelming favorite because it is easy to explain and follow, which can be limiting when the learner, context, or goals would benefit from a different model or new methods.